Making Christmas happy

The Observer hosted a collection day where 22 representatives from eight local charities plus social workers and support workers from Stirling Council visited us to gather toys and gifts for hundreds of sick, disabled, needy and disadvantaged children and families.

Among the good causes who attended were Barnardo’s, Stirling Young Carers, Stirling and District Women’s Aid, Stirling Down’s Syndrome Playgroup (now KiDS), Support4Families, PLUS, HomeStart Stirling, and Cornton Vale and Glenochil Family Help Hubs.

We also delivered toys to those who were unable to attend on the day, including Forth Valley Royal Hospital’s children’s ward.

All were overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity from people of all ages and walks of life right across Stirling.

Among those to contribute toys to the cause were pupils from Buchlyvie Primary.

Stirling Observer reporter Kaiya Marjoribanks said: “One local charity was able to create a Santa’s Grotto for the first time to treat the children they support to something extra special.

“However, we have also heard from workers relieved at being able to deliver toys to desperate parents who had been told they wouldn’t receive long awaited benefits before Christmas and who were dreading the thought of their children waking up to nothing on Christmas morning, on top of the pressures of how to provide food and heating.”